Mid Atlantic Star Party

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The Mid Atlantic Star Party (MASP) is an annual regional gathering of amateur astronomers (star party) held each fall around October near Robbins, North Carolina.

First held in 1995, MASP is located in one of the darkest spots along the eastern U.S. coast and is the largest annual gathering of amateur astronomers between Vermont's Stellafane and Florida's Winter Star Party.[1] With attendance usually numbering in the hundreds,[2] MASP was held at the Occoneechee Council Boy Scout camp for the first decade of operation before scheduling conflicts forced a site change.[3][4] The star party has become a focus of the town of Robbins' economic and cultural planning process[5] and has spurred the creation of a regional "dark park" to control light pollution.[6]

A panoramic view of the main observing field at the 2001 Mid Atlantic Star Party during the day.
A panoramic view of the main observing field at the 2001 Mid Atlantic Star Party during the day.

[edit] References

  1. ^ About MASP (HTML). Mid-Atlantic Star Party. Retrieved on 2007-03-23.
  2. ^ Walsh, S. Kirk. "AHEAD; Star Parties", New York Times, 23 September 2005. Retrieved on 2007-03-23. 
  3. ^ Chappell, John. "Robbins Seeks New Site for Star Party", Southern Pines Pilot, 7 September 2006. Retrieved on 2007-03-23. 
  4. ^ Chappell, John. "Robbins Star Party Here to Stay", Southern Pines Pilot, 12 September 2006. Retrieved on 2007-03-23. 
  5. ^ Chappell, John. "Robbins Sets Plans For STEP", Southern Pines Pilot, 17 October 2006. Retrieved on 2007-03-23. 
  6. ^ Dark Park (HTML). DarkPark.Org. Retrieved on 2007-03-23.

[edit] External links

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